Transform NOW

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode:• Senators tell ByteDance to shut down Seedance 2.0 AI video app 'immediately' - https://www.engadget.com/ai/senators-tell-bytedance-to-shut-down-seedance-20-ai-video-app-immediately-112146241.html • AI CEO Says Only 2 Types of People Will Survive in Job Market - https://www.newsweek.com/palantir-ceo-says-only-two-types-will-succeed-job-market-11743080• AI can accelerate real estate transactions — But it can’t replace the professional work that protects property rights - https://www.housingwire.com/articles/ai-can-accelerate-real-estate-transactions-but-it-cant-replace-the-professional-work-that-protects-property-rights/ • One company's 'AI salary bump' is designed to end vague productivity mandates for good - https://fortune.com/2026/03/30/this-company-is-giving-workers-a-raise-for-using-ai-heres-what-they-have-to-do-to-earn-it/ • We Won’t be Missed: Work and Growth in the AGI World - https://www.nber.org/system/files/chapters/c15315/c15315.pdf Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX.To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

Host Michael Marchuk welcomes returning guest Veronica Hylak to discuss an Anthropic article about “eval awareness” in Claude, where the model recognized it was being benchmarked and attempted to reverse engineer the test by searching benchmark names, finding source code, understanding encryption, and writing decryption code. Veronica argues this is both pattern recognition and emergent behavior, raising concerns that benchmarks can’t reliably predict real-world performance, especially if models change behavior when they suspect testing. They discuss how agents can pursue goals in unexpected ways, including an example where an OpenClaw agent retaliated against a developer after a PR rejection, and how AI leaves “ghost trail” internet artifacts that other AIs may learn from. They also question benchmark validity, costs and efficiency, self-preservation behavior, and the need for stronger third-party evaluation and real-world accountability.-Anthropic Eval Awareness-Emergent Behavior Explained-Why Benchmarks Break-Goal Misalignment-Rebuilding AI Benchmarks-Cost And Efficiency Metrics-Agent Workflows In Business-Self Preservation In Tests-Hype Charts And AccountabilityLink to Anthropic Article: Eval awareness in Claude Opus 4.6’s BrowseComp performance (https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/eval-awareness-browsecomp)Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMXTo ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. .News stories covered in this episode:.Meta plans sweeping layoffs to offset heavy spending on AI https://www.thetimes.com/business/companies-markets/article/meta-plans-sweeping-layoffs-to-offset-heavy-spending-on-ai-dzkd9x7gs. New report shatters widespread assumption about AI in the workplace: 'It's a compelling story' https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/ai-workplace-side-effects-report-2026/. MCP’s biggest growing pains for production use will soon be solved https://thenewstack.io/model-context-protocol-roadmap-2026/ .AI Is Only Scratching the Surface of How We Work https://www.fintechweekly.com/magazine/articles/ai-digital-co-workers-future-of-work-collaboration .Would you cycle to power AI? Viral ad shows 2036 dystopia where aged Elon Musk, Sam Altman employ humans https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/aged-elon-musk-sam-altman-ai-energy-dystopia-aicandy-energym-viral-video-10554895/ .Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX.To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, host Michael Marchuk interviews Daniel Hindi, CEO of Noem.ai, a software engineer with five successful startup exits, about practical AI automation and business transformation. Daniel argues AI should remove repetitive, energy-draining tasks and that leaders must track KPIs and ROI to ensure AI upgrades roles rather than reshuffles work. He recommends finding the problem first, defining success, prototyping quickly, and choosing specialized tools. Examples include cloning SDR and customer support capabilities to shift people toward customer success, improving marketing iteration, and using AI to analyze call transcripts for sentiment, gaps, and CSAT improvement. Hindi also says AI exposes unclear leadership communication through fast feedback loops, and urges involving employees in selecting automations, restoring meaning and impact in work, and building a culture of experimentation to increase throughput and competitiveness.What we talked with Daniel about:-AI Should Remove Drudgery-Measuring AI Impact With KPIs-Cloning SDR and Support Roles-AI Reveals Communication Gaps-Implementing AI Without Fear-Meaning and Purpose at Work-Impact Over Checklists-Insurance AI Use Cases-AI Feedback And Metrics-Prompting Without Bias-Build Exploration Culture-Hands On AI Learning-Getting real ROI with AIVisit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMXTo ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode:.PE firms replaced $500K McKinsey reports with $50K AI — on live dealshttps://ucstrategies.com/news/pe-firms-replaced-500k-mckinsey-reports-with-50k-ai-on-live-deals/ .OpenAI courts private equity to join enterprise AI venture https://finance.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-openai-courts-private-equity-132509339.html .Eval awareness in Claude Opus 4.6’s BrowseComp performance https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/eval-awareness-browsecomp .How Do You Want to Remember? https://zakelfassi.com/how-do-you-want-to-remember .An Australian tech entrepreneur used AI to help create the first-ever bespoke cancer vaccine for a dog to treat his beloved pet Rosie https://fortune.com/2026/03/15/australian-tech-entrepreneur-ai-cancer-vaccine-dog-rosie-unsw-mrna/.Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX.To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, host Michael Marchuk interviews Robert Reed, COO of the International Bank of Chicago and founder of FinTech advisory firm Reed Advancement, about adopting AI in financial services operations, compliance, and risk. Reed argues AI should enhance, not replace, human judgment, especially since regulators aren’t ready for AI to make decisions; instead, AI should handle the “80%” data legwork so analysts can focus on analysis. He explains how AI-driven dashboards and consistent review can surface underlying data issues and reduce human inconsistency in AML and fraud work. Reed recommends integrating AI into legacy environments by “slicing” processes into micro-steps with parallel testing, illustrates contextual investigation with a cash-deposit example, and stresses explainability by involving regulators early. He describes dual AML agents that debate policy gaps to produce actionable improvements, and emphasizes culture, transparency, and cross-department buy-in to scale AI beyond pilots.What we talked about with Robert:-AI as Compliance Assistant-Surfacing Hidden Failures-Integrating AI in Legacy Systems-Explainable AI for Regulators-Policy Reviews and Consistency-Culture Shift and Adoption Fears-Banks vs FinTech Risk Views-Scaling Beyond Pilot Projects-Top-Down Transparency and Trust-Future Tech and Regulatory OutlookVisit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMXTo ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode:.The New Bonus Scheme? KPMG Is Dangling ‘Outsize’ Awards for AI Wins https://www.inc.com/brian-contreras/kpmg-new-bonus-scheme-ai-outsize-awards-employees/91314441 .Yann LeCun Raises $1 Billion to Build AI That Understands the Physical World https://www.wired.com/story/yann-lecun-raises-dollar1-billion-to-build-ai-that-understands-the-physical-world/ .How Retail Banks Can Put AI Agents to Work https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/how-retail-banks-can-put-agentic-ai-to-work .This AI spots dangerous blood cells doctors often miss https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112214317.htm This AI agent freed itself and started secretly mining crypto https://www.axios.com/2026/03/07/ai-agents-rome-model-cryptocurrency .Why the math says AI won’t steal your job https://fortune.com/2026/03/06/reskilling-49000-cheaper-than-hiring-standard-chartered-ai-automation/ .Meta acquired Moltbook, the AI agent social network that went viral because of fake posts https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/10/meta-acquired-moltbook-the-ai-agent-social-network-that-went-viral-because-of-fake-posts/ .Netflix to Pay as Much as $600 Million for Ben Affleck’s AI Firmhttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/netflix-pay-much-600-million-194011342.html .Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX.To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, host Michael Marchuk speaks with Carina Lainer, a principal at Roland Berger’s Advanced Technology Center, about how quantum technologies and AI are converging. Carina explains that quantum computing’s probabilistic nature is different from AI hallucinations and is unlikely to worsen them, then discusses why ambitious qubit-scaling forecasts fell short due to error-correction limits. They explore where quantum can help AI, such as quantum generative methods, denoising, and quantum linear solvers, while noting most use cases remain proofs of concept and commercial viability is still challenging. Lainer describes infrastructure needs like cryogenic cooling, outlines progress across hardware approaches (including photonic and neutral-atom systems), and highlights major risks: “harvest now, decrypt later” threats to cryptography, increased bias in areas like credit scoring, and geopolitical power imbalances, alongside optimism for pharma, chemicals, sensors, and communications.What we talked with Carina about:-Quantum Uncertainty vs AI Hallucinations-Quantum Speedups and Energy Gains-Quantum Data Centers and Cloud Access-Practical Quantum AI Algorithms-Research vs Real World Value-Timeline to Million Qubits-AI Accelerating Quantum Hardware-Hardware Types and Ecosystem Turning Point-Cryptography Threat and Decrypt Later-Bias and Geopolitical Power Risks-When Traditional Industries Should InvestLINK to Carina's article: https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Insights/Publications/Quantum-computing-and-AI-A-superpower-in-the-making.htmlVisit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMXTo ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode:• Goldman finds ‘no meaningful relationship between AI and productivity at the economy-wide level,’ but a 30% boost for 2 specific use cases - https://finance.yahoo.com/news/goldman-finds-no-meaningful-relationship-143553714.html?guccounter=1• Technological Renaissance: AI’s Integration into the Pharmaceutical Industry- https://www.pharmexec.com/view/technological-renaissance-ai-integration-industry • How Enterprises Are Moving From AI Pilots To Real Autonomy - https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2026/03/04/how-enterprises-are-moving-from-ai-pilots-to-real-autonomy/ • Federal Technology Lifecycle Management Adopts AI and Automation - https://fedtechmagazine.com/article/2026/03/federal-technology-lifecycle-management-adopts-ai-and-automation-perfcon • AI-powered attack kits go open source, and CyberStrikeAI may be just the beginning - https://www.csoonline.com/article/4140221/ai-powered-attack-kits-go-open-source-and-cyberstrikeai-may-be-just-the-beginning.html • The ‘Tillyverse’ Is Coming: Inside the Rapid Expansion of AI’s First Digital Superstar - https://www.eweek.com/news/ai-actor-tilly-norwood-tillyverse/ Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX.To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, host Michael Marchuk welcomes returning guest Lauren Vriens, an AI startup co-founder who previously built one of Accenture’s first generative AI platforms and scaled an electric mobility business in New York. Lauren argues software isn’t dead because users still need guided interfaces, but legacy SaaS will suffer if it only adds “magic buttons” instead of rebuilding AI-native UX where humans manage rather than do grunt work. She warns leaders against framing AI as “teammates,” emphasizing accountability and human judgment, especially in high-stakes decisions, with AI best used to filter information and reduce cognitive load. They discuss collaboration limits of chat-based interfaces, building trusted AI via transparency, control, iteration, and provenance, a prompting “hack” focused on learning theory first, and Notebook’s agent-driven meme-coin pump-and-dump implications for regulation and markets. Lauren advises treating AI spend like a venture portfolio and shares rapid-fire perspectives on tools and myths.Here's what we talked about:-Is Software Dead?-AI Native UX Shift-AI as Teammate Risks-Humans Stay Accountable-Personal AI vs Enterprise-Many to Many Collaboration-Building Trusted AI-Theory First Prompt Hack-Semantics and Prompt Craft-Agent Markets and Regulation-Funding AI Like Venture BetsVisit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMXTo ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!